A South Korean presidential official said Sunday that South Korea is aware of news reports regarding the leaking of several classified US military documents and plans to discuss the "issues raised" as a result of the leak with the United States.
Three US officials told Reuters on Friday that several classified US military documents recently posted on social media provide a partial month-long picture of the war in Ukraine, adding that Russia or pro-Russian elements were likely behind the leak.
One document obtained by Reuters details internal discussions between senior South Korean officials regarding US pressure on Seoul to help supply arms to Ukraine and its policy not to do so.
The document, which did not appear to be dated, said South Korea had agreed to sell artillery shells to help the US replenish its stocks, insisting that the "end user" should be the US military. But at home, senior South Korean officials worried the Washington would turn them over to Ukraine.
The report was based in part on intelligence indicating that the United States was spying on one of its most important allies in South Korea.
The South Korean presidential official, speaking to reporters, declined to answer questions about US espionage or confirm any details from the leaked documents.
Asked if South Korea intends to file a protest or demand an explanation from the United States, the official, who asked not to be identified, said the government will review precedents and cases involving other countries.
South Korea has signed major deals to provide hundreds of tanks, aircraft and other weapons to NATO member Poland since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
However, President Yoon Sok-yul mentioned that South Korean law banning the supply of weapons to conflicting countries makes it difficult to send weapons to Ukraine.
The South Korean official explained that there had been no change in South Korea's policy.
Yoon is scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden on April 26 during a state visit to Washington.
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